Multiple sheet imprinting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An imprinter includes a head section closable toward a base section on which have been placed multiple sheets to be imprinted. When the head is locked in down position, a pressure roller carried by the head section travels relatively along and over stacked sheets to pressurize them alternately between the roller and indicia on the base, and between the roller and a rail on the base, and in a manner to prevent uncontrolled smudging of the sheets near the indicia, and to accept controlled smudging over the rail.

I Umted States Patent 1191 1111 3,800,700v

Mclnnis et al. Apr. 2, 1974 MULTIPLE SHEET IMPRINTING 3.411691 12/1968Kubovy, 5. 1011269 APPARATUS 2,982,205 /1961 Maul 101/269 3,279,369lO/l966 Wight ll/269 [75] Inve t rs: Andrew Mclnnis,C9vina; 3,269,3078/1966 116116161 .7 l0l/269 Dunstan P. Sheldon, Altadena, both 3,170,3962/1965 Argerinos 101/269 of Calif. [73] Assignee: Sheldon IndustriesInc., Monrovia, Pulfrey Calm v Asszstant Examiner-E. M. Coven fAttorney, Agent, or Firm-William W. Haefliger [22] Filed: Sept. 18,1972Y 211 Appl. No.: 290,168 ABSTRACT An imprinter includes a head sectionclosable toward 521 0.8. CI. 101/269 3 base which f f R' [51] Int ClB41f3/04 sheets to be 1mpnnted. When the head 1s locked 1n 58 Field6'1'566'1'11111IIIIIIIIIZIIIIIIII11111161669-214 a Pressure carried bythe head sect10n travels relatwely along and over stacked sheets 99161515 5112312; 2213221211521: 2:31; :21 UNITED STATES PATENTS on thebase, and' ma manner to prevent uncontrolled v mgzlgsaitngin;srnudgilngdof th:i sheets nealrI the ilndicia, and to accept 312531541 51966 Goodrich 101 269 comm e smu gmg-ovat e 3,516,356 Nantz 101/269 1 18Claims, Drawing Figures 1. I U x I I -1 PATENIEDAPR' 2 m4 SHEU 1 [1F 5 1MULTIPLE SHEET IMPRINTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND 'OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates generally to printing, and more particularly concernsimprinting apparatus.

Previously developed imprinters have been characterized by a number ofserious disadvantages in functioning and results. These include thedifficulty of rapidly inserting a sheet or sheets to be imprinted intothe apparatus and withdrawing the sheet or sheets therefrom; lack ofcapacity or ability to effect clear and legible imprinting of multiplesheets in a stack (say five to twelve sheets, for example); the tendencyto jam when attempts are made to simultaneously imprint such multiplesheets, and to the extent that an indicia carrier such as a credit cardcannot then be removed from the equipment without greater difficulty;the tendency of pressure rollers in prior imprinters to uncontrollablysmudge the sheets due to unwanted pressure transmission to portions ofthe sheets other than those to be imprinted; fuzzing of the imprintedindicia arising from roller induced movement or skewing of the sheets at.the moment of roller travel over the embossments defining the indicia.All of these difficulties as well as others become especially criticalin imprinters of the type in which embossed plastic cards such as creditcards are removably inserted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the invention toprovide imprinting apparatus departing significantly in itsconstructionv and mode of operation from prior devices in order to avoidor overcome all of the above problems.

Basically, the imprinting apparatus of the invention comprises a basesection defining a zone for indicia presentation to contact with sheetmeans such as one or more sheets placed over that zone; a head section,including a pressureroller, relatively movable from retracted positionin which the pressure roller isspace'd from the base section to closedposition in whichthat roller is presented for displacement across thatzone in contact with the sheet; first means to releasably lock the headsectionin closed position in response to head section movement into thatposition; and other means to forcibly urge the roller relatively towardthat zone in response to roller displacement thereacross, with the headsection locked in closed position. Accordingly, despite the capabilityof the head section to be quickly retracted to completely release thesheet means, and preventing jamming of the sheet and indicia cardagainst retrieval, the apparatus in locked condition permits developmentof maximum roller pressure against the sheet over the indicia to secureimprinting of multiple sheets in a stack. This is especially importantin applications such as hospitals and governmental agencies where alarge number of forms typically must be filled in with an individualsname and/or address and/or se-- rial number. In other words, theinvention enables positive rapid and legible imprinting of a largenumber of forms or sheets in a stack, and simultaneously, using one ormore removable, embossed cards, without chance of jamming of the formsor of the card or cards.

It is another object of the. invention to provide for pivotalinterconnection of the base and head section in such an imprinter, withan operating arm carried by the head section and coupled with the basesection to displace the head section toward and away from the basesection, with jaw action, when the arm is rotated in oppositedirections, the same arm being further swingable to limited extent whenthe head section is closed to effect interlocking of the head and basesections as described. Further, the same arm may advantageously, when soswung, effect actuation of a drive to translate the roller across theindicia zone, so that the multiple functions of opening and closing ofthe two sections, their interlocking and release, and drive energizationare all controlled by movement of the one operating arm. As will beseen, the drive and pressure roller may be carried in a modular framewhich is removably attached to the head section to be removed fromservicing or replacement, or even for reorientation in the head sectionto extend imprinting capability as will be seen.

Additional objects include the provision of an indicia carrier supportplaten of unusually advantageous construction, and which is supported inthe base section to accommodate reversal as desired and to be yieldablydepressed in response to reception of pressure roller force applicationthereby to control the upper limit of pressure application to the sheetsand indicia so as not to pennanently deform the indicia. As will beseen, a-

rail or rails may be incorporated on the platen to block clamping of thesheet means between the roller and indicia carrier (preventing smudging)while permitting clamping of the sheet between the roller and the raisedindicia. Further, the extent of the rail prevents sudden acceleration ofroller rotation upon arrival over the raised indicia, which in turnprevents unwanted movement and skewing of the sheet during imprinting,as will be seen. I

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom thefollowing description and drawings, in which:

ratus incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the FIG. 1; I

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2 showing the apparatus in closed andoperating condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective showing .of a platen as used in the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective showing of a modified platen;

apparatus as seen in FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view taken on lines 6-6of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation taken on lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation taken on lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation taken on FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 9 but showing a shifted condition ofcomponents;

FIG. 1 l is a sectional elevation taken on lines 1 1-] l of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11 but showing a shifted condition ofcomponents;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary elevation showing a modified yieldable supportfor the platen; and

lines 9-9 of FIG. 14a and 14b are plan views' showing different useconfigurations of a modified form of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION spaced from the base section, to closed position(as for example is seen in FIGS. 3, 11 and 12) in which the roller ispresented proximate the base section for lateral displacement across andin contact with sheet means 14 (comprising one or more sheets in astack). When the head section is in retracted condition, the sheet meansmay be conveniently placed over an indicia car- I rier 15, a carriersupport such as platen 16 and a sheet supporting table 17, elements15-17 being carried by the base section. The carrier 15 may for examplecomprise a plastic card removably received on the platen, and whichcarries embossments l8 defining indicia (as for example a name andserial number) pressurally engageable with the sheet means to effectimprinting of the latter.'

Other forms of indicia carriers may be carried by or presented at theplaten 16, one example being a small metal plate 19 presentingembossments 20 (for example identifying a company name). Another exampleis an adjustable assembly of coaxial rotors 21 carrying embossments (forexample identifying the month, day and year). The rotor assembly iscarried by the base section and received in a through opening 22 in theplaten for selected embossment presentation at a preselected level abovethe upper surface level of the platen.

It will be appreciated that, due to the capability of the head sectionto be raised or swing upwardly away from the base section, the sheetmeans 14 and card 15 cannot become jammed or stuck against removal fromposition between the roller 13 and platen, no matter how many individualsheets are in the stack defining the sheetmeans. Thus, if for any reason(as for example the attempted imprinting of a too thick bundle of forms)the roller is blocked against completed travel across the indicia Zone,the head section may be lifted to immediately free the forms and theremovable indicia carrying card and/or plate 15 and 19 for lift-offremoval from the base section. Examples of imprintable sheets are carbonpaper sheets interposed between other paper sheets such as forms, andso-called NCR paper containing very small, pressure rupturable, inkcontaining globules.

Referring to FIGS. l-3, the two sections 11 and 12 may advantageouslyhave pivoted interconnection as at 25 to accommodate upward and downwardswinging of the head section about first pivot axis 26. Also, firstmeans is provided to releasably lock the head section -in closedposition in response to head section movement into closed position. Inthe example, such'first means includes an operating arm 24 which may begenerally L-shaped to define arm segments 24a and 24b. The arm iscarried by the head section, as for example at pivot connection 28 tohead section side panels 29 defining a second pivot axis 30 parallel toaxis 26. The arm segment 24 is also coupled to the base section todisplace the head section toward and away from the base section whenthe'arm is rotated in opposite directions relatively about axis 26. Suchcoupling may advantageously include arcuate cam elements, as for examplelike cam slots 31 defined by thickened portions of base section sidepanels 32, and follower elements such as follower pins 33 carried by thearm segment 24b. The inwardly facing slots 31 are generally circularabout axis 26; however the pivots 25 defining axis 26 may be slightlyeccentric to accommodate tracking of followers 33 in the slots 31,without binding. During such lifting and lowering of the head section byfinger tip exertion on handle bar 32 at the end of arm segment 24a, thepins 33 are displaced in generally circular paths about axis 26.A'tension spring connected between the base section at 111 and a post112 on the head section serves to provide counterbalancing force foreasing lifting of the head section.

A further mode of coupling of the arm segment 24b to the base sectionside panels 32 comprises a cam slot extension, 34 which intersects slot31 to receive the follower when the head section is in closed position.At such time, depression of the arm segment 24a from broken lineposition 24a to solid line position as shown in FIG. 3 effects pivotingof the arm about axis 30 to carry the follower along cam slot extension34 to the locking position. The head section is thereby releasablylocked in closed position so that the roller may be displaced across theindicia zone while it exerts substantial force against the sheet meanssubject to imprinting. Further,,; unlocking of the sections followingimprinting is very simply effected by slight lifting of the arm segment24a to the broken line position 24a. Note that slot extension 34 extendsgenerally circularly about axis 30.

The described first means, such as includes arm 24, to releasably lockthe head section in closed position may advantageously have the furtherfunction of effecting energization of the drive serving to displace theroller transversely across the indicia zone, as for example betweenroller positions represented in FIGS. 9 and 10. The drive indicatedgenerally at 38 in FIGS. 3 and 912 includes an electrical motor 39carried by the head section and coupled in driving relation withthe-roller as for example by means of drive chains 39a entrained ondrive sprockets 40 connected with the oppositely projecting motor outputshafts 41. Opposite ends of each chain are connected to roller carriers42 journaled to the roller trunnions 43 as appears in FIGS. 12, forexample. Idler sprockets 44 are carried by the front and rear panels 45of a drive module or frame 46 removably attached as by fasteners 47 tothe head section side panels or support structure 29. This allowsremoval of the drive module whenever desired for servicing orreplacement. All-elements of the roller drive carried by the moduleframe. Chain slack is removed by idler sprockets SOcarried by arms 51pivoted to the panels 45 at 52, and spring urged at 53 to cause thesprockets 50 to mesh with and deflect the chain as shown in FIG.

As seen in FIG. 3, a motor control switch 54 is carried' by the module46 on the head section so as to be actuated upon final lowering of armsegment 24a during locking of the headsection in closed position. Forthis purpose, a pusher 55 is depressed by the arm segment 24a to depressthe switch plunger 56 effecting motor energization. A spring 57 urgesthe pusher upwardlyto release the switch plunger when the arm segment24a is lifted to unlock the head section from the base section.Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a plate ele- -ment 58 is shiftable inopposite directions in response to roller travel in opposite directionsacross the indicia zone, and limit switch means indicated generally at59 is actuable by the plate element to effect deenergization of themotor upon completion of roller travel across that zone. The plate 58may contain guide slots 60 and 61 receiving pins 62 and 63 carried bythe module 46 to support the plate and limit its endwise movement.The-plate is moved to the left to FIG. position during the finalmovement of the roller to the left, as

der 65; likewise, the plate is moved to the right to FIG.

9 position during final movement of the roller to the right, as byengagement of trunnion 64 with plate curved shoulder 66. Upon engagementof the plate with limit switch actuator 67, a rightward drive motorcircuit is interrupted to deenergize the rightward drive. A second limitswitch actuator 68 is also operated by the plate to partially close aswitch in a leftward drive motor circuit, which is completely closedonly when the main switch 54 is next closed by depression of arm segment24a. In the latter event the roller is driven to the left, and thesecond limit switch actuator 68 is released by the plate during finalmovement of the roller to FIG. 10 position, to deenergize the leftwarddrive.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, other means isprovided to forcibly urge the roller 13 toward the indicia on elements15, 19' and 21 defining the indicia zone in response to roller.displacement across that zone as described, with the head section lockedin closed position. Such other means may advantageously compriseguideways on the head section, as for example are defined by shoulders70, 71 and 72 on plates 45, together with reduced diameter rollertrunnion portions 73 riding on and movable along the guideways inresponse to roller bodily displacement between FIGS. 9 and 10 positions.Note that the guideways 70 and 72 define ramps angled to displace theroller carriers or trunnions in a direction forcibly moving the rollertoward the base section and-away from the headsection, assuringdevelopment of sufficient pressure to effect imprinting of multiplesheets or forms in the stack applied over the embossments defining theindicia. The limits of roller trunnion travel are defined by arcuateshoulders 75 and 76.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, yieldable means such as Belleville washerstacks 78 are carried on base plate 79 to support the platen in suchmanner as to yield and thereby control the force application to thesheet means by the roller 13, such force application thereby being thesame'for a wide range of overall thicknesses of the sheet means 14.Fasteners 80 project through the washers and are threadably attached tothe base plate, allowing fastener adjustment to control initialcompression of the washers and positioning of the platen. See also FIG.13 in this regard. Locating fingers 82 for card project upwardly viaopenings 83 the platen, and are resiliently mounted as by flat springextensions 84 attached to the underside of the platen. Accordingly, thefingers are easily depressed downwardly by the sheet means or stack 14in response to pressurization by roller 13. Note also that the platen isendwise reversible 180, as accommodated by removal of fasteners 80,permitting relocation of the indicia as on card 15 further from thepivots 25 so as to permit imprinting at sheet locations further from thesheet edge advanced against structure locations 86 in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7 the platen 16 is seen to carry a rail 87projecting outwardly from the platen surface 88 to an extent t which isless than the outward projection t of the indicia 89 on indicia carryingcard 90 from the surface 88, but to greater extent than the projection tof the main body of card 90 from surface 88. Merely as one example, tmay be about 0.030 inches; t about 0.037 inches; and t between 0.040 and0.050 inches, for a currently used plastic credit card. The purpose ofthe rail is to prevent smudging of the sheet 14 during imprinting, asdiscussed in our copending U.S. Pat. application entitled, Eliminationof Uncontrolled Background Reproduction During Printing. Note that therail 87 preferably extends at 87a and 87b endwise beyond the indiciapresented upwardly in FIG. 6. This results in the initiation of rotationof the roller 13 (in response to compressive force transmission to therollerfrom the rail.) prior to arrival of the roller over the raisedindicia, so that skewing or other unwanted displacements of the sheetwhich might then occurr are prevented, and irrespective of the degree ofclamping force transmission by the roller and the speed of roller travelover the indicia. If desired, the rail surface may be etched orotherwise configured to imprint a pattern such as a name on the sheetmeans.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified platen wherein two additional rails 90and. 91 are provided, parallel to rail 87. Rails 87 and 91 embrace theplastic card zone 15a; and rails 87 and 90 embrace the metal card zone19a and the adjustable embossing wheel zone 21a.

Referring now to FIG. 14a, the module 46 is shown attached byfas'teners'47 to the head structure so that the roller 13 moves acrossthe indicia zone in the directions parallel to pivot axis 26 previouslyreferred to. If desired, the module may be removed and rotated 90 andrefastened to the head so that the roller 13 will then travel across theindicia zone-inthe directions 101 generally toward and away from axis26. This enables very rapid production of imprints, as for examplelabels 102 on an elongated sheet indexed in the direction 103 betweeneach imprinting. Such indexing may be controlled as at 104, link 105indicating actuation of arm 24 in predetermined timed relation tooperation of sheet indexing drive 106 connected tothe control by link107. The module 46 typically includes the roller 13 and its drive,including motor 39 and associated electrical circuitry. An electricalpower plug may then be ditively movable from retracted position in whichthe roller is openly spaced from said base section to closed position inwhich the roller is presented for displacement across said zone incontact with the sheet, the base and head sections having pivoted 7interconnection to accommodate swinging of the head section'between saidretracted and closed positions, and about a first pivot axis,

0. first means to releasably lock the head section in said closedposition in response to head section movement into that position, and

d. other means to forcibly urge the roller relatively men't across saidzone, with the head section locked in said closed position,

e. said first means including an operating arm carried by the headsection and coupled with the base section to' displace the head sectiontoward and away from the base section when the arm is rotated inopposite directions relatively about said axis, the arm being swingableabout a second pivot axis with the head section in said closed positionand relative to both the head and base sections to effect said lockingof the head section to the base section, the arm having pivotalconnection to thehead section to define said second axis which extendsparallel to i the first axis, 7

f. there being a drive comprising an electrical motor carried by thehead section and coupled in driving relation with the roller to displacethe roller across said zone, the drive including a motor control switchcarried by the head section to be actuated toward said zone in responseto said roller displace- Q by said first means only after said lockingof the head section in closed position.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said coupling of the arm to thebase section includes an arcuate cam element and afollower elementtherefor, one element on the arm and the other on the base section,there being a cam extension along which the follower is guided to travelaway from the arcuate cam element in response to said arm swinging aboutthe second axis.

3. The combination of claim 1 including an element shiftable in oppositedirections in response to roller travel in opposite directions acrosssaid zone, and limit switch means actuable by said element to effectdeenergization of the motor'upon completion of roller travel across saidzone.

4. The combination'of claim 1 wherein said other means includes aguideway on the head section, and a roller carriedmovable along saidguidewayin response to'said displacement of the roller across said zone,the guideway'i'ncluding a ramp portion angled to displace the carrier ina direction forcibly moving the roller relatively toward the basesection and away from the head section.

5. The combination of claim 4 including an indicia carrier support onthe base section, and yieldable means located on the base section toyieldably resist displacement of the support away from the head sectionin response to said roller forcible movement toward the base section.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said support comprises a platen toreceive a carrier in the form of an indicia carrying sheet.

7. The combination of claim 6 including said carrier in the form of aplastic card which is embossedto form said indicia, the card receivedflatly on the platen.

8. ln apparatus for effecting imprinting of a sheet, the combinationcomprising a. a base section and a carrier thereon, the carrier havingindicia presented away from the base section for-contact with the sheetplaced thereover,

8. and rail means onthe base section extending lengthwise along andprojecting outwardly relative thereto further than the carrier otherthan the indicia,

b. a head section including a pressure roller, relatively movable fromretracted position in ,which the roller is openlyspaced from said basesection to closed position in which the roller ispresented for v bodilydisplacement lengthwise of and over the rail means and over the indiciato urge the sheet thereagainst, Y

c. first means to releasably lock the head section in said closedposition in response to head section movement into that position,

d. other means to forcibly urge the roller relatively toward saidcarrier in response to said roller displacement across said zone, withthe head section locked in said closed position,

e. the indicia supporting the roller during one portion of said rollerdisplacement and the rail means supporting the roller during anotherportion of said roller displacement, the carrier other than the indiciaremaining free of direct pressurization by the roller during said otherportion of roller displacement.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the base section includes a platencarrying the rail means and defining a zone in which the carrier isreceived.

10. The combination of claim '9 including resilient means supporting theplaten to accommodate yieldable deflection thereof in response to rollertransmitted force application thereto. I y

11. The combination of claim 10 including a base plate to which theplaten is releasably attached by fasteners which also retain saidyieldable means in tion.

12. The combination of claim 9 wherein the carrier comprises an embossedplastic card.

13. The combination of claim 8 wherein the carrier comprises anelongated tape, the indicia comprising embossed portions of the tape.

14. The combination of claim 8 wherein the rail ex tendsendwise in'th'edirection of roller movement beyond the endwise limit of the indicia. t

15. The combination of claim 8 including the sheet placed directly overthe rail means and carried to be urged against the indicia during saidone portion of roller displacement, and to be urged against the railmeans during another portion of roller displacement.

16. In apparatus for effecting imprinting of a sheet, the combinationcomprising a. a base section defining a zone for indicia presentation tocontactwith the sheet placed thereover,

b. a head section including a pressure roller, relatively movable fromretracted position in which the roller is openly spaced from said basesection to closed position in which the'roller is presented fordisplacement across said zone in contact with the sheet,

c. first means to releasably lock the head section in said closedposition in response to head section movement into that position,

d. other means to forcibly urge the roller relatively toward said zonein response to said roller displacement across said zone, with the headsection locked in said closed position,

posie. there being a drive comprising an electrical motor coupled indriving relation with the roller to displace the roller across saidzone,

f. the head section including support structure and a frame, the framecarrying the pressure roller and said drive, and

g. means for releasably attaching said frame to said support structurein either of two alternate positions.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said two alternate positionshave 90 relative angularity characterized in that the roller is movableacross said zone in directions respectively parallel to, and toward andaway from, an axis defined by a pivoted connection between saidsections.

18. In apparatus for effecting imprinting of a sheet, the combinationcomprising a. a first section and a platen thereon defining a zone forreception of a carrier for raised indicia to contact the sheet extendedthereover;

b. a second section, including a pressure roller, relatively movablefrom retracted position in which said roller is openly spaced from thefirst section to closed position in which said roller is presented fordisplacement relatively across said zone in contact with the sheet overthe indicia, thereby to urge the sheet against the indicia,

c. locking means to releasably lock the head section in closed position,

d. other means to effect said roller displacement with forcible urgingof the roller toward said zone as it moves thereacross, and

. rail means on the platen and projecting therefrom toward the headsection to a level which is lower V

1. In apparatus for effecting imprinting of a sheet, the combinationcomprising a. a base section defining a zone for indicia presentation tocontact with the sheet placed thereover, b. a head section including apressure roller, relatively movable from retracted position in which theroller is openly spaced from said base section to closed position inwhich the roller is presented for displacement across said zone incontact with the sheet, the base and head sections having pivotedinterconnection to accommodate swinging of the head section between saidretracted and closed positions, and about a first pivot axis, c. firstmeans to releasably lock the head section in said closed position inresponse to head section movement into that position, and d. other meansto forcibly urge the roller relatively toward said zone in response tosaid roller displacement across said zone, with the head section lockedin said closed position, e. said first means including an operating armcarried by the head section and coupled with the base section todisplace the head section toward and away from the base section when thearm is rotated in opposite directions relatively about said axis, thearm being swingable about a second pivot axis with the head section insaid closed position and relative to both the head and base sections toeffect said locking of the head section to the base section, the armhaving pivotal connection to the head section to define said second axiswhich extends parallel to the first axis, f. there being a drivecomprising an electrical motor carried by the head section and coupledin driving relation with the roller to displace the roller across saidzone, the drive including a motor control switch carried by the headsection to be actuated by said first means only after said locking ofthe head section in closed position.
 2. The combination of claim 1wherein said coupling of the arm to the base section includes an arcuatecam element and a follower element therefor, one element on the arm andthe other on the base section, there being a cam extension along whichthe follower is guided to travel away from the arcuate cam element inresponse to said arm swinging about the second axis.
 3. The combinationof claim 1 including an element shiftable in opposite directions inresponse to roller travel in opposite directions across said zone, andlimit switch means actuable by said element to effect deenergization ofthe motor upon completion of roller travel across said zone.
 4. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said other means includes a guideway onthe head section, and a roller carried movable along said guideway inResponse to said displacement of the roller across said zone, theguideway including a ramp portion angled to displace the carrier in adirection forcibly moving the roller relatively toward the base sectionand away from the head section.
 5. The combination of claim 4 includingan indicia carrier support on the base section, and yieldable meanslocated on the base section to yieldably resist displacement of thesupport away from the head section in response to said roller forciblemovement toward the base section.
 6. The combination of claim 5 whereinsaid support comprises a platen to receive a carrier in the form of anindicia carrying sheet.
 7. The combination of claim 6 including saidcarrier in the form of a plastic card which is embossed to form saidindicia, the card received flatly on the platen.
 8. In apparatus foreffecting imprinting of a sheet, the combination comprising a. a basesection and a carrier thereon, the carrier having indicia presented awayfrom the base section for contact with the sheet placed thereover, andrail means on the base section extending lengthwise along and projectingoutwardly relative thereto further than the carrier other than theindicia, b. a head section including a pressure roller, relativelymovable from retracted position in which the roller is openly spacedfrom said base section to closed position in which the roller ispresented for bodily displacement lengthwise of and over the rail meansand over the indicia to urge the sheet thereagainst, c. first means toreleasably lock the head section in said closed position in response tohead section movement into that position, d. other means to forciblyurge the roller relatively toward said carrier in response to saidroller displacement across said zone, with the head section locked insaid closed position, e. the indicia supporting the roller during oneportion of said roller displacement and the rail means supporting theroller during another portion of said roller displacement, the carrierother than the indicia remaining free of direct pressurization by theroller during said other portion of roller displacement.
 9. Thecombination of claim 8 wherein the base section includes a platencarrying the rail means and defining a zone in which the carrier isreceived.
 10. The combination of claim 9 including resilient meanssupporting the platen to accommodate yieldable deflection thereof inresponse to roller transmitted force application thereto.
 11. Thecombination of claim 10 including a base plate to which the platen isreleasably attached by fasteners which also retain said yieldable meansin position.
 12. The combination of claim 9 wherein the carriercomprises an embossed plastic card.
 13. The combination of claim 8wherein the carrier comprises an elongated tape, the indicia comprisingembossed portions of the tape.
 14. The combination of claim 8 whereinthe rail extends endwise in the direction of roller movement beyond theendwise limit of the indicia.
 15. The combination of claim 8 includingthe sheet placed directly over the rail means and carried to be urgedagainst the indicia during said one portion of roller displacement, andto be urged against the rail means during another portion of rollerdisplacement.
 16. In apparatus for effecting imprinting of a sheet, thecombination comprising a. a base section defining a zone for indiciapresentation to contact with the sheet placed thereover, b. a headsection including a pressure roller, relatively movable from retractedposition in which the roller is openly spaced from said base section toclosed position in which the roller is presented for displacement acrosssaid zone in contact with the sheet, c. first means to releasably lockthe head section in said closed position in response to head sectionmovement into that position, d. other means to forcibly urge the rollerrelatively toward said zone in response to said roller displacementacRoss said zone, with the head section locked in said closed position,e. there being a drive comprising an electrical motor coupled in drivingrelation with the roller to displace the roller across said zone, f. thehead section including support structure and a frame, the frame carryingthe pressure roller and said drive, and g. means for releasablyattaching said frame to said support structure in either of twoalternate positions.
 17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said twoalternate positions have 90* relative angularity characterized in thatthe roller is movable across said zone in directions respectivelyparallel to, and toward and away from, an axis defined by a pivotedconnection between said sections.
 18. In apparatus for effectingimprinting of a sheet, the combination comprising a. a first section anda platen thereon defining a zone for reception of a carrier for raisedindicia to contact the sheet extended thereover; b. a second section,including a pressure roller, relatively movable from retracted positionin which said roller is openly spaced from the first section to closedposition in which said roller is presented for displacement relativelyacross said zone in contact with the sheet over the indicia, thereby tourge the sheet against the indicia, c. locking means to releasably lockthe head section in closed position, d. other means to effect saidroller displacement with forcible urging of the roller toward said zoneas it moves thereacross, and e. rail means on the platen and projectingtherefrom toward the head section to a level which is lower than thelevel defined by the indicia and greater than the surface level of thecarrier from which the indicia project, the rail means being elongatedin the direction of pressure roller displacement over said zone, therail means fully supporting the roller during portions of saiddisplacement thereof in which the sheet is free of pressurization by theroller against the indicia.